7 Easy Make-Ahead Meals

Oh, to have a magic fairy chef whip up dinner every night! While that unfortunately can't be a reality, these do-ahead dishes might just be the next best thing.

If you’re a parent or even a parent-to-be, you know that some days are definitely crazier than others when it comes to making dinner. So wouldn’t it be fab if you had a stash of tasty — and healthy — homemade meals in your freezer that you could simply heat up? Do the prep work when you’ve got some time to spare (pregnant ladies: This means before you go to the hospital) and while you’re at it, double the recipe. That way, you can enjoy the fruits (and veggies) of your labor twice — once that night and again down the road.

Chili

This hearty dish has a lot going for it. For one thing, it’s easy to make — most recipes rely on beans, crushed tomatoes, corn, and chopped mild green chilies, all available in cans. Plus, you can pick your protein — lean beef, chicken, turkey, and pork all work fine — or skip the meat altogether for a vegetarian version. (For an almost-from-scratch simple supper, use shredded roasted chicken from a store-bought bird.) Whichever type of chili you choose, pump up the freshness factor by adding sautéed chopped onions and bell peppers to the pot and crowning your bowl with a dash of shredded cheddar and a dollop of low-fat sour cream.

Baked Mac 'n' Cheese

Elevate the nutrient quotient of this classic crowd-pleaser by using whole-wheat elbows and reduced-fat cheddar (Gruyère’s great, too) and stirring sautéed chopped spinach (frozen is fine, well-drained) into your sauce. If you’re freezing a batch, you can avoid defrosting a whole casserole’s worth later on by baking mini-portions in greased muffin tins. Once they’ve cooled, freeze your mac ’n’ cheese “muffins” in a freezer bag so you can heat as many portions as you need when hunger strikes.

Chicken Burritos

Here’s a handheld make-ahead meal that’s a relative cinch: Season a mixture of cooked Spanish or brown rice, black beans, and cubed chicken or pork with burrito-seasoning mix or a little salsa (careful, too much salsa equals a soggy burrito). Add a sautéed or grilled veggie, such as zucchini or red peppers, then roll everything into a whole-wheat tortilla. Burritos freeze beautifully — wrap them individually so you can grab one from the freezer in a flash.

Quiche

With a homemade quiche in your freezer, you’ve got a make-ahead meal that’s perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Start with a refrigerated crust, then get creative with easy fillings for these protein-rich, egg-based pies. Try combos like broccoli and mushroom (leftover veggies work great), ham and asparagus, or roasted chicken (from last night’s dinner) and tomato (seed the tomatoes, so the juice doesn’t make your crust soggy). Bake two quiches, then pop one in the freezer once it’s cool. You can even slice before freezing and wrap portions individually for a simple solo supper on the fly.

Salmon Cakes

Salmon is a superfood — it’s chock-full of protein, calcium, and omega-3’s — and the canned variety is inexpensive too, making it a smart pantry staple. Salmon salad’s a breeze to make, but these satisfying salmon cakes don’t take much effort either: Just form the salmon into patties with add-ins like sautéed onions, eggs, lemon juice, maybe some fresh or dried dill or parsley, and a handful of seasoned whole-grain bread crumbs, then quickly sauté or bake them. Wrap leftovers individually, then freeze. Pregnant? Get the facts on fish during pregnancy.

Stuffed Shells

Who doesn't love healthy pasta, especially in a dish that's both luscious and easy to whip up? To create this make-ahead marvel, stir Italian seasonings into ricotta cheese; for an extra boost of calcium, fiber, and vitamins, throw some blanched chopped broccoli in, too. Then stuff the mixture inside jumbo pasta shells (if you find whole-grain, even better). Pile the shells into two or three smaller baking dishes and smother them with tomato sauce and a sprinkling of parmesan cheese, then bake one and freeze the rest. For a quick dinner, heat some shells up, add a crisp green salad, and you're set.

Curry Burgers

Who needs bland, greasy drive-through burgers when you can cook healthier, flavor-packed patties at home? Here’s the secret to zinging up lean ground turkey or beef: Stir in a little curry powder or paste, then toss in diced red bell peppers or shredded carrots for a sweet antioxidant-packed punch. Grill ’em up, then place your exotic burgers on whole-wheat buns and add a spoonful of bottled mango chutney. Want a future burger feast at the ready? Freeze uncooked patties separately to pop on the BBQ or stove top.

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